Shanieka’s silver lining

DOHA, Qatar:

Weeks before the 2019 IAAF World Championships began, Shanieka Ricketts suspended her social media accounts and subsumed herself into a zone in order to deliver the medal she was tipped to win.

The move paid off as the lanky Jamaican produced a 14.92 metres effort in the final of the women’s triple jump to win the silver medal on the penultimate day of these championships.

“Honestly, it was a lot of pressure coming into the meet and, at one point, I felt like I was having a nervous breakdown and, so, I had to get off social media and tried my best to focus on what I came here for. I am grateful I was able to maintain my composure and deliver tonight ,” she said.

The former Vere Technical High athlete was beaten by defending champion Yulimar Rojas of Venezuela who won with a distance of 15.37 metres.

Ricketts’ compatriot, Kimberley Williams, tried her best to eke out a medal, but she was edged out for the bronze by Olympic champion Caterine Ibarguen.

Williams equalled her lifetime best 14.64m to move into third on her second attempt before Ibarguen surpassed her on the fifth jump with 14.73m.

“The goal was to get on the podium. I was on my A game from the start, and then when we were at the top eight, my marker was off,” she said.

The country’s medal count increased to nine as the women’s 4x100m, with clinical baton changes, reclaimed their world title.

The team of Natalliah Whyte, Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce, Jonielle Smith, and Shericka Jackson won in a world leading time of 41.44 seconds.

Whyte, who produced another monster lead-off leg, was elated to have won her first gold medal as a senior athlete.

“I am very happy because it is my first senior team and I just wanted to prove to Jamaica that I had the ability and I think I did just that,” she said.

Jamaica could bag more medals today as Chanice Porter and the men’s and women’s 4x400 metres teams have advanced to their respective finals, while all four sprint hurdlers will contest the semi-finals in the women’s 100m hurdles race.

Like she did to win the gold medal at the now defunct World Under-18 Championships back in 2011, Porter produced a monster jump on her final attempt to advance to women’s long Jump final scheduled for 11.15 A.M.

Sitting two spots outside of the 12th and last qualifying place, Porter jumped 6.67m to move up to 10th and squeezed defending champion Brittney Reese of the USA out of the final.

“I was in 14th, so I had to find something else,” Porter said.

The 24-year-old had been struggling with her run up all evening and needed to carry out her coach’s instructions (on adjustments) perfectly in order to advance to her first World Championships final.

“My coach said that I should just go back half inch and that is what I did,” Porter said. “ It is not the first time, but it is not a good situation to be in, because I was very nervous. I need to get a better jump on my first attempt so I don’t rely so much on my last attempt.”

Her compatriot, Tissanna Hickling, wasn’t as fortunate as her best jump, 6.49m, was only good enough for 16th.

In the women’s 100m hurdles, Danielle Williams continued her impressive form as she won her heat in 12.51 seconds. Megan Tapper, Yanique Thompson, and Janeek Brown finished second in their heats with 12.78, 12.85, and 12.61 seconds, respectively.

The semi-finals are scheduled for 11:02 a.m. while the final will be run at 12:50 p.m.

The men’s 4x400m team enters today’s final, scheduled for 1:30 p.m., with the second fastest time. The quartet of Akeem Bloomfield, Nathon Allen, Terry Thomas, and Javon Francis registered 3:00.76 to win their heat. The Americans (2:59.89) have the fastest time.

Jamaica’s women were also comfortable in qualifying as Roniesha McGregor, Anastacia Le-Roy, Tiffany James and Stephenie Ann McPherson posted a world leading 3:26.64.

The finals of the women’s and men’s 4x400m are scheduled for 1:15 and 1:30 p.m., respectively.